Camping Hiking Guide

Travel Newfoundland: Avalon Peninsula

Sunday, July 20, 2003

Our destination today is Terra Nova National Park, on the east coast of Newfoundland. We were very surprised by the rates charged: $ 5.00 per day for each adult and $ 21.00 per day for camping without utilities (electricity was $ 5.00 extra night). The area has tree forests to the sea. There are many Hiking Trails, the majority of four to six miles in length.

We to the interpretation center of the sea. A ranger explains the different aquatic animals that are in contact tank: stars, oysters, crabs different, barnacles, etc. It was very informative. They also have tanks with local species including: Cod, CAPLAIN, etc.

Monday, July 21, 2003

It took some Today's trails to see the wildlife and landscape, that Terra Nova has to offer. We saw three plovers, a gull, a whiskey Jack (gray jay), and squirrels, which are not indigenous Newfoundland. We saw moose tracks and droppings and footprints of bear, but no moose or a bear yet.

After a day of walking, it was early to bed.

Tuesday, July 22, 2003

He drove to San Juan, the capital of Newfoundland. Pitty parked in Park in St. Johns. This is near Memorial University.

Until 1948 Newfoundland was an independent country. On July 22, 1948, was voted the opportunity to be part of Canada. The first vote was evasive. After some negotiations with the Canadian government and the necessary concessions, people voted by a narrow margin confederation. Many Newfoundlanders, many still wished never was carried out by the confederation. The other options they had was to become a member of the U.S. or remain independent.

He drove to La Mancha (French for the manga) Provincial Park. They put us in the overflow section, which is perfect for us because the area is completely open. There is no electricity or water except for boiling available in any of the provincial parks. So we are willing to pay $ 13.00 Canadian per night. We are far from spitting on the lake, which has water temperature of bath water. There are Hiking Trails. One leads to a picturesque waterfall where swimming is allowed but not recommended. Another leads to the ruins of the village of La Mancha. After Confederation in 1949, city residents were given the opportunity to relocate to a larger town, because it was too costly to maintain roads and other supply services such as electricity. Most refused. After a major storm hit the area in the 1960s, the city had been destroyed and the people were resettled anyway. Only the foundations of buildings remain today in this fishing town, once prosperous. Similar stories exist for many of the fishing villages on the island. When the dead fish because of the dredging, the life expectancy of the Newfoundland fisherman also terminal. Many chose to resign to the old ways, which originally had brought their families to the island abundant, and moved to big cities in search of work, less significant.

Friday, July 25, 2003

Today we were going to go whale watching. We found that in Bay Bulls Gatheralls fee of $ 50.00 per person, but somebody recommended seabirds or Ocean Adventure Tours Baulin East, near the Park, for just $ 20.00 per person for a trip of an hour. We decided to check out the top and see what offer. We met Jerry, the owner-operator of seabirds, who had just returned from a trip to the Big Island, the Sanctuary Puffin. He said he had seen about six whales Humpback out in the briny. By the time we left our little group of four has risen to more than twenty people. There was not much space on board for everyone. Three Islands Witless Bay Ecological Reserve include: Great, green, and Oasis. Grande is the largest, and sets off to Baulin East. The first bird said was the Northern Fulmar, a rarity as there are only twenty pairs on the island. Then there were the puffins little skimming the water with wings beating almost as fast as hummingbirds, their peak bodies contrasting colors black and white. Also in abundance were terns, or Murrs in Newfoundland, and the black-legged kittiwake, a smallest member of the gull family, which puts his wingtips in bottles of India ink. Enough of the birds. Off for larger prey.

Everyone on the boat was scanning the horizon as we head to sea. Finally someone yelled, "Thar blows, starboard. Off we went in pursuit and was not our first whale hunchbacked, with a dip in a gesture of chance queue. All in all I must have seen about a dozen whales. The number could have been more or less. It very difficult to identify unless you get pictures. We have a couple of his fins, which usually have brand identification. Some of the whales were even vocalize for us. Everyone on board acted as eight years old, David, full of enthusiasm and awe at these great people. Sometimes they had less than five feet of the whale. Somehow I think they were having so much fun as we were, like dolphins in Charleston, South Carolina port. Our journey across the sea was more than an hour and not yet begun to return to the Big Island and the dock.

We returned to the leeward side of the island and saw the nesting sites Kittlwakes, with adults and babies. We passed by numerous caves, a cave in the skull called because it looked like one, and natural arches carved into the rock by water and wind. The entire trip lasted almost two hours. Everybody's got their money's worth plus some.

After a quick sandwich, we went to drive twenty minutes to Ferryland. We wanted see the colony of Avalon and other attractions there. We will be back to the Shamrock Festival Ferryland morning. When we arrived, they were still setting up headquarters. Cologne Avalon is still around. We joined a guided walking tour, which had just begun, just outside the visitor center. Jennifer Carter was our guide. If she does not know response to our questions, she was in constant communication with someone who did.

Avalon is an active colony archaeological site of a community of four hectares, more founded by George Calvert, aka Lord Baltimore, in 1621. Situated on the banks of a naturally protected port, the colony prospered throughout the 17th century, fishing cod is the primary industry. Thousands of artifacts have been found at the site, some dating back even to the tribes and 16 Century Beotuck Basque, Portuguese, French and English fishermen season. The Colony of Avalon, however, had its cobbled streets, drains flushed twice daily by high tide forges, wells, tanks in the port doors, fences, a house, plus many other buildings. The excavations are still ongoing, with new devices found to date. The day we were there, had found part of a crystal goblet and a gold coin.

God Baltimore left the settlement to Sir David Kirke and went on to found the colony of Maryland. Kirke did so well in building the colony, was tried and convicted in England, the chances of embezzlement funds that should have gone to the crown. His wife took over for another twenty years. Most people have never heard of this thriving settlement that is earlier than Plymouth Rock. St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and Jamestown in 1607.

Sunday, July 27, 2003

Went on a hiking route to the ruins of the city of La Manche. The city began in 1840 and built on the slope of a steep hill, at least fifteen feet above the coastline. Life that had to be very hard because everything was up and down the steep hillside. Although it was almost a mile from the nearest road, the city prospered. When the confederation Canada was held in 1949, the city government wanted to move so that the good service it gives. They refused. However, his decision was reversed when a storm destroyed the city. It had to be one heck of a storm, because the city was so high from the water's edge. All that remains are the foundations, some with basements, the cables of a suspension bridge that crosses the river, and a doctor's house in ruins across the river and the hill.

We saw a humpback whale frolicking in the bay. On returning home I found a stone spearhead and gave it to Jordan, a ten year old boy who was taking the trip with us. Herlidan Tanya was our naturalist guide. Later he took pictures of the city our trailer as it once was.

Monday, July 28, 2003

It is a new beautiful day to visit Ireland to the Irish Loop: fog, rain and wind. Our first stop was at Ferryland to the historic museum. We wanted hear about the German WWII graves. Young people who were in the museum did not know, but had heard stories of submarines in the area. We had said that the Germans brought the bodies to the ground and local citizens had services for them and then buried in their cemeteries. We were told that was possible due to the solitude of the local lighthouse, now shrouded in fog, it would be a good place to dump the bodies. He could not confirm the story, however. We asked where the old cemetery found. We found it. As you can see in the picture was very careless, many of the headstones were unreadable broken. If the story is true or legend, it is still a great story.

Renew drove through and stopped the Mayflower for supplies, while on the way to Plymouth Rock. Then out of the Portugal Cove South. The landscape was quite open at this time, a great place to see herds of caribou, which number in the thousands. Upon arrival at the visitor center of Portugal Cove South in the mist. We were told by the young ladies in the center that the fog had lifted and it was quite nice outside. For last week they could not see across the road. Portugal South Cove has 158 days of fog per year, which is almost half the time. When asked for reasons why they were blessed as well, said it was because the confluence of the Labrador Current Gulf of Mexico and San Lorenzo. In the visitor center on display in the Titanic and fossils. The lighthouse at Cape Race men were first to hear the unfortunate SOS Titanic in 1912. The mobile and the old house was demolished by a new one year later. So some historical artifacts lay buried. Along the road to Cape Point Race is wrong, a treasure trove of fossils 575 million years old. Because the cod industry in the area has been destroyed, local citizens have become self-appointed guardians of the fossils that offer tours and out chasing poachers. Today was a day not optimal to see, because they make a slip and fall in the North Atlantic. When I asked the girls what was available in the area to prevent here, said: "Nothing." Both were students at St. John's University with a major in Social Work and Physical Therapy and went home only for the summer.

Off we went to Trepassey. Trepassey was the departure point for Amelia Earhart transatlantic voyage in 1928. We were in a rain storm. We took refuge in a restaurant, ate lunch and watched the storm. Off to St. Shotts see the caribou. All were hidden behind the fog. We saw caribou zero throughout the trip. We were told that the figures have been undermined due to illness. There are very few in the Avalon Peninsula.

We proceeded to the western part of the Irish Loop. The Brigadoon shroud raised to reveal a beautiful Kelly green landscape with small farms that dot the hillside. We began to sing, happy to see a hundred miles remaining loop Irish.

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Went to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of mainland North America. Although it is an island Newfoundland, is still considered part of the North American continent. Just as North Cape in Norway, point is also an island, is considered the northernmost part of Europe. Also a lighthouse in 1835, one of the oldest of Newfoundland, the Cape is also the placement of turrets built by the U.S. and Canadian armies during World War II World protect the rails from San Juan to send Nazi submarines. Although we saw minke whales breaking the surface. They were very far to get pictures. However, it was exciting.

He returned back to the city and walked through the city. We stopped for ice cream at Moo Moo, a favorite spot for its 88 flavors of cream full hard ice. After the cones we went to the Basilica of San Juan, where the diocese maintains their files. We were told by the historian who most of the clan Pelley Anglican settled communities. San Juan was the closest port to Ireland. From San Juan traveled to Halifax and then to Boston. Many Irish Catholics came and settled in cities Protestant and Catholic Church was well established in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The research has been done is now being cataloged. I to send more information to those interested in genealogy.

Martes, 05 de agosto 2003

Today we went to the Killick Coast. A Killick is an anchor made of large stones enclosed in folding wooden sticks tied at the top and the cross at the bottom to dig into the seabed.

On the road are the cities with names such as Torbay, where the English landed to retake San Juan of the French.

Further on is Flat Rock, where cod is extended in the rocks to dry. Pope John Paul II was there to bless the fleet. It is also home to a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, which is visited by many pilgrims.

It is also in stock (pronounced Pooch) Bay, founded before 1611, which was the first documented date. Despite permanent homes were taxed by the Crown in the 17th and 18th centuries, nor that of the Royal Navy, or pirates dared to enter the dangerous waters of the harbor. So the city prospered.

Then took a side road to San Francisco Point, via a gravel road with just enough space to pass. At the end of the road is a helicopter pad and a beacon for warn sailors of rocks. For the North Peninsula are Baccalieu Baccalieu. The view is impressive.

The Sierra Club also must think about this too, because we are a group of hikers touring the East Coast Road for lunch in the notebook.

Finally on the road is Portugal Cove, terminal ferry boat to the island of Bell. Bell Island is known for its iron mines, which go under the sea. During World War II, the German government hired the captains local man of its submarines, as they were familiar with the waters of the area. Newfoundland, at the same time was an independent country. One of the ferries that recently had a collision with a Russian fishing in restricted waters, putting it out of service. The government does not know whether to prosecute or reward the captain of the ferry. We had lunch on the beach of Cala Coffee which is part of a B & B with the same name. The potatoes were excellent, a great source of thick wedges.

He led the Cape Shore Loop, which includes Plasencia, the original French capital. We took the overland route through a gravel road. The Fradshams have a summer house on this road, called Misty Mountain. No one was home. So he left a note. The trail passes through the falls to cut a throat sixty foot through the hills, a pretty sight. We parked on the beach where the race is Placentia in July, part of the Triple Crown of Newfoundland.

We visited the city of Plasencia was established in 1662 to protect French interests in North America. Castle Hill overlooking the town is a National Historic Site. It successfully protected the city from invasion, but no lock. The land was not conducive to agriculture and factions, condemned the colony slowly. The French then built the fortifications Louisbourg, NS, leaving the British Placentia.

Also in Placentia are other archaeological excavations going on at the base of the bay. An excavation is being done in Fort Louis, a military post, and Fort Frederick, through the harbor entrance. The former can be visited and you can see the process at work. The latter is less accessible, but a better quality of the artifacts are hidden in it. Can be seen in the archaeological treatment center in the city.

He led the St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, which is strictly for the birds: pelicans

On the way back to Plasencia in different cities we stopped along the road. First it was St. Brides, whose population doubled in 1941 when Americans established a base of listening to the German ships in the area. Over 400 soldiers stayed during the war years. They were able to transmit messages the U.S. Naval base thirty miles in Argentia North.The military doctors also dealt with the local people as their was no other medical care available.

Then we stopped at Gooseberry Cove, a small cove with a beach of blackish sand. It was very quiet, watching the tide come in the sand. The sand is unusual in Newfoundland, as most of the beaches are rocky. Some rocks scattered on the beach, but most had been sprayed on the sand by the action of currents.

Our next stop was the boat Cove, who was a man of stone breakwater. Dam built in the village landmarks. I added my collection. Meanwhile, Maggie collected driftwood to work on their size.

Hogar de Plasencia and a stop at the Archaeological Center. It had found a silver coin, a little smaller than a coin inscribed with a cross on one side. The opposite side was more difficult to read. The lady also show a copper coin, found recently, with three fleurs d'leis on one side.

In O'Reilly's house, built at the end of the century by the local magistrate. It has been renovated with donated items. The house also features exhibitions on the resettlement of many communities in Placentia Bay. The stories are quite sad. All cities were fishing villages, independent each other. While there were no fish, no work. When fishing was prohibited for them, their way of life taken away. This is something that recalls the destruction of the buffalo and resettlement of Native Americans.

About the Author

John and Maggie Pelley are Geriatric Gypsies. Both of us are retired from the rat race of working. We are full-time RVers, who ran away from home. We began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons. No more shoveling snow in Chicago. We have discovered volunteering with the National Park System. During our travels we have found that each town has a story to tell: some are more interesting than others. Both of us enjoy good listening music as we go. John has a CD he has recorded of Native American flure music. We have learned that RVing has a learning curve. We want to pass on some advice the help others avoid this trecherous curve. Life is an adventure. We are living it to the utmost.

Wolfmaan’s Bruce Trail Expedition 2009

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